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Gov. Cuomo, PSC did the right thing with Clean Energy Standard (Editorial)

Updated on August 3, 2016 at 4:21 PMPosted on August 3, 2016 at 2:50 PM

072701 POWER 2 DL.JPG

This aerial photograph from 2001 shows the three nuclear power plants at Nine Mile Point near Oswego. The nuclear generating plants are FitzPatrick, Nine Mile Unit 2 (with its cooling tower) and Nine Mile Unit 1.
(The Post-Standard file)

On Monday, the state's Public Service Commission unanimously ratified Gov. Andrew Cuomo's Clean Energy Standard. The standard requires 50 percent of New York's electricity to come from renewable energy sources by 2030.

It was the right thing to do.

It puts New York on an aggressive path to reduce greenhouse emissions.

The PSC's decision also shows that nuclear power is as vital as wind and solar in meeting that goal. It makes nuclear power an environmental asset. It shows you can't reduce greenhouse gases without nuclear, and it puts in place a nuclear subsidy for 12 years.

Support for nuclear power does not sit well with all environmentalists, but it was telling that the governor's staff could quickly circulate statements from a number of environmental organizations supporting not only the 50 percent goal, but the maintenance of nuclear power. Opponents ignore the fact that 31 percent of the energy produced in New York is from nuclear.

If the only mission were to push renewable energy sources, the PSC's nuclear subsidy would not be praiseworthy. But it's not that simple.

We would not favor building new nuclear power plants. But the three in Oswego County already exist, and the issue of safely containing radioactivity remains even if the plants shut down.

If the plants were to close soon, the generating capacity would be filled by other sources, probably natural gas. While fracking has made natural gas cheaper in the short term, switching to it does not reduce greenhouse emissions. It does not move New York in the right direction.

We do not favor a blank check for nuclear subsidies. The state must evaluate them regularly and Monday's action sets up a review at least every three years. When the price of natural gas or competing fuels goes up, making nuclear competitive on its own, the subsidy should go down or end.

Subsidies should be a bridge to a worthy public goal, not a permanent entitlement.

In Central New York, the PSC decision is praiseworthy for a more parochial concern as well. The three nuclear generating plants in Oswego County employ more than 1,500 people. They are skilled, highly trained and well paid.

Last year, Entergy announced it would close its FitzPatrick plant in January. Efforts by business leaders and state officials to keep it generating electricity have failed. Now Exelon, owner of the two neighboring Nine Mile plants, is trying to buy FitzPatrick from Entergy. The PSC action on Monday makes Exelon believe FitzPatrick is worth operating.

We urge Exelon and Entergy to reach a deal. There is urgency because FitzPatrick refueling needs to happen soon. The economic impact of closing would be harsh in Oswego County.

The PSC decision dealt with other issues. One is the transmission of power generated Upstate to markets that need it Downstate. The state is wise to turn attention to this issue. Whatever the source of electricity, New York's economic future should not teeter on old bottlenecks.

The Clean Energy Standard positions New York as a leader in new ways of generating electricity. It makes manufacturing of emerging technologies more likely in New York. It forces the state to explore or expand energy sources - like wind farms off the coast of Long Island or geothermal pumps.

Some day, fossil fuel will no longer be the planet's chief energy source. America - and New York - should be inventing and building new sources. We should not let that fall to Europe, China or other international competitors. America should lead this industry, and it is wise of Gov. Cuomo and the Public Service Commission to put New York in the forefront.